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Preview of BESE meetings next week

The Board Book arrived this weekend with the information and backup needed in preparation for the upcoming meetings on 2/22 and 2/23. The agenda hasn't been posted publicly, yet; absent requests from Board members to add to or adjust it, here's a preview of what we can reasonably expect:

At the special meeting in Malden Monday night (5-7 PM) we'll hear updates on the status of receiverships for Southbridge and Holyoke Public Schools. This is the first monthly update on Southbridge since the Board voted to bring the district into receivership last month. We'll hear about the search process for an external receiver, status on setting up the Local Stakeholder Group, and strategies for family and community engagement. The report on Holyoke includes an update on the Therapeutic Intervention Program (TIP) at the Peck School and an overview on the status of the turnaround plan. Following that we'll go into Executive Session to discuss strategy with respect to pending litigation.

At the regular meeting in Malden Tuesday morning (8:30-1:00 PM) we'll first hear comments from the Chair, the Commissioner, the Secretary, and the Public. Among the Commissioner's comments will be remarks about recent studies on curriculum and assessment:

a study out of Harvard University on teachers' perspectives for the first full year of common core curriculum implementation in five states, including Massachusetts;

from the Fordham Institute a study that examines how well MCAS, PARCC, SBAC, and ACT measure college-and-career-ready standards; and

a similar study conducted by the Human Resources Research Organization. Spoiler alert (but perhaps not...!): both assessment studies found limitations with MCAS, while the "newer" assessments generally rated "higher".

As we'll be wrapping up "charter school season", the first five "Items for Discussion and Action" are related to charter schools, including a discussion on the Report to the Legislature (as required by MGL, c.71, s.89(kk) and recommendations for new charter schools (Libertas Academy Charter School, Springfield and New Heights Charter School, Brockton); discussion and VOTES on both schools.

The final four are "Other Business Items": 6.) discussion & VOTE on Greenfield Commonwealth Virtual School; 7.) discussion and VOTE on the Revised Definition of College-and-Career-Readiness, Incorporating Civic Learning; 8.) discussion of Governor Baker's State Education Budget Proposal for FY17; and 9.) discussion of the new student assessment process.

Locally, I'm proud to represent my neighborhood at Town Meeting (since 2006). I'm the Parent Representative on the Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education and the Northeast Area Representative for NASBE. I blog at MAStewartMA.blogspot.com. Blog content is mine; all comments are moderated.

My Public Life Calendar

A Board Meeting has been scheduled for Tuesday, August 15, 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM. More details as they become available.

2017-2018 Board Meeting Schedule

Monday, September 25, 2017 (special)

Tuesday, September 26, 2017 (regular)

Monday, October 23, 2017 (special)

Tuesday, October 24, 2017 (regular)

Monday, November 27, 2017 (special)

Tuesday, November 28, 2017 (regular)

Tuesday, December 19, 2017 (regular)

Monday, January 22, 2018 (special)

Tuesday, January 23, 2018 (regular)

Monday, February 26, 2018 (special)

Tuesday, February 27, 2018 (regular)

Monday, March 26, 2018 (special)

Tuesday, March 27, 2018 (regular)

Monday, April 23, 2018 (special)

Tuesday, April 24, 2018 (regular)

Monday, May 14, 2018 (special)

Tuesday, May 22, 2018 (regular)

Monday, June 25, 2018 (special)

Tuesday, June 26, 2018 (regular)

Whenever possible, Board meetings are held on the fourth Tuesday of every month. All regular meetings will begin at 8:30 AM at the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, unless otherwise noted. The Board also frequently holds a special meeting the Monday evening before each regular meeting. Information on special meetings (including date, time, and location) in advance of each meeting.

Write or call with requests to address the Board during Public Comment: